In fact, it didn’t work anything like the clickers we use today either. Instead of an infra-red or RF signal which lets you point your remote in any direction (within reason) to change channels, Zenith’s Flash-Matic functioned as a focused directional torch. Users had to target photocells in every corner of the TV set to turn it on or off, or change channels — which in those days involved turning a tuner dial clockwise or counter-clockwise.

There was no muting, no picture adjustments, not even a volume button. It was downright primitive by today’s standards, but mind-blowingly futuristic for our parents.